OMNISPORT 

China will feature on the World Rally Championship calendar for the first time in 17 years next season.

The schedule for 2016 was announced on Tuesday, with China pencilled in to host round 10 from September 9-11 in what will be an all-asphalt rally in the Huairou district.

The Asian country last hosted a rally back in 1999, when Frenchman Didier Auriol triumphed.

Monte Carlo will again stage the season-opening rally in January, with the campaign coming to an end in Australia in November.

WRC managing director Oliver Ciesla said of the calendar: "It brings an enticing blend of the WRC's heritage, in the form of classic and long-standing events such as Sweden, Argentina and Finland, with a new and exciting challenge on asphalt roads in China."